Convenient synthesis of oxazolidinones by the use of halomethyloxirane, primary amine, and carbonate salt.

[reaction: see text] Primary amines reacted with carbonate salts (Na2CO3, K2CO3, Cs2CO3, and Ag2CO3) and halomethyloxiranes in the presence of a base such as DBU or TEA to give oxazolidinones in high yields. The use of K2CO3 among these carbonate gave the best yield in this synthesis. A reaction mechanism was proposed that the oxazolidinone was obtained from an oxazinanone intermediate via a bicyclo[2.